I first came here when I was visiting a friend at his bar. We weren't in the mood for sushi (which is what is served in his pub) so we went next door to try Chilango, a small Mexican place in the increasingly international barrio, Recoleta.
From the outside, Chilango has a badass Mexican vibe with a 'dia de los muertos' feel. There is a giant "calaveras" on the sign out front and once you walk in, the decor of photos, trinkets and art make you feel like your in the DF instead of Santiago.
The owner lived and studied in Mexico and has brought the flavors and spice to Santiago (adding a bit of Chilean twist to make it palatable for Chilean tastebuds).
When we got in it must have been around 12am so we were happy to see it was still open! I was deciding between the quesadilla and the burrito, but because the look and feel were super authentic, I decided to try my luck with the burrito.
I am a vegetarian and normally veggie burritos always let me down (except for the Chipotle option). Sure enough, it was a let down and not very filling but, the spicy salsas and nachos did somewhat make up for it. However, my friend, who lived in Mexico for a year, got a burrito with chicken and gave it his seal of approval.
This is a perfect place for a late night snack on your way to or from the bars in the area as they are open super late. I also heard they have some good lunch specials, but for me, I am not sure if the quality-price ratio is worth it when there are so many other tasty restaurants around with better veggie options.
Tip:
Eat in the restaurant (as opposed to getting your order to go) because they have a selection of different and interesting and spicy salsas that you can choose. read more